I didn’t know until early this week that March is noted as Women’s History Month when an editorial appeared in the San Marcos Daily Record.
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The Library of Congress, National Archives, and Records Administration, National Endowment for Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and United States Holocaust Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of women whose commitment to nature and the planet have proved invaluable to society.
Women’s History Month had its origin as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed a resolution which authorized and requested the president to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982, as Women’s History Week. Throughout the next five years they passed a resolution each year with such a proclamation. In 1987 after being petitioned by the Women’s History Project, Congress designated the month of March as Women’s History Month. Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the president to proclaim March as Women’s History Month. Since 1985 Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the Month of March as Women’s History Month. This year’s theme is Women’s Education – Women’s Empowerment.
In President Jimmy Carter’s speech proclaiming Women’s History Week in 1980, he said that from the first settlers who came to our shores from the first Indian families who befriended them, the contribution of women working side by side with their men, and the achievements of leadership of the women often went unknown.
A few weeks ago I told you about Sojourner Truth, a black woman who was one of the women who went down in history to be remembered. Empowered by her religion, the former slave worked tirelessly for many years to transform national attitudes and institutions. There are many more just like her that we hear little about.
I think many of the United States presidents wives should be listed in that category, also. During the Revolutionary War, Martha Washington traveled with her husband and helped nurse the wounded soldiers. When separated from her husband she made clothing and gathered supplies for the soldiers while maintaining the family’s plantation at Mt Vernon. When Washington was elected president, Martha took upon herself the responsibilities that came with that position and was a dignified hostess and set a precedent for future first ladles.
Abigail Adams followed in Martha’s footsteps in entertaining and organized the first full-dress reception on New Year’s Day. She also believed that slavery should be abolished and was a strong advocate of women’s rights. Dolly Madison secured most of the precious possessions of the presidential mansion during the War of 1812 when the British set it on fire. She was also a delightful hostess when the First Inaugural Ball was held when her husband became president.
I could go on and on about presidents’ wives who should go down in history as well as many other women whose work made our country a little better, and I’m sure you can, too.